The Senior Financial Consultant will serve as a key finance partner supporting the Optum Financial organization, with a primary focus on operating expense management, forecasting, reporting, and financial analysis. This role will work closely with operational leaders to provide timely financial insights, support month-end close activities, and develop accurate forecasts that drive informed business decisions.
The position plays an important role in ensuring financial transparency, identifying risks and opportunities, and helping business partners understand the key drivers of performance across Optum Financial. The ideal candidate will combine solid analytical skills with the ability to build relationships, communicate effectively, and influence outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
This position is full time. Employees are required to have flexibility to work any of our shift schedules during our normal business hours of 8:00am - 5:00pm. It may be necessary, given the business need, to work occasional overtime.
We offer weeks of on-the-job training. The hours of the training will be based on schedule or will be discussed on your first day of employment.
Primary Responsibilities: Financial Planning & Forecasting
- Develop and maintain monthly forecasts, annual budgets, and long-range planning assumptions for Optum Financial expenses
- Partner with business leaders to understand operational trends, workforce changes, and emerging risks and opportunities
- Analyze financial performance and proactively identify drivers impacting forecast accuracy
- Support development of cost management initiatives and track realization of savings opportunities
Month-End Close & Financial Reporting
- Lead month-end financial analysis and reporting processes, ensuring accurate and timely review of actual results
- Analyze variances to forecast, budget, and prior year results, clearly communicating key drivers to finance and operational leadership
- Prepare recurring financial reporting packages and executive summaries highlighting operational performance and financial impacts
- Partner closely with accounting and other finance teams to ensure integrity of financial results
Business Partnership
- Build solid relationships with Optum Financial leaders and serve as a trusted financial advisor
- Translate financial results into actionable business insights and recommendations
- Provide transparency into workforce-related expenses, vendor spend, and other key operating cost drivers
- Support business partners in evaluating trade-offs and opportunities to improve efficiency and financial performance
Analysis & Decision Support
- Develop financial models, scenario analyses, and ad hoc reporting to support operational decisions
- Perform trend analysis and identify emerging risks, opportunities, and operational efficiencies
- Support development of business cases and ROI analyses for investments and strategic initiatives
- Leverage data and analytics to improve forecasting assumptions and enhance decision-making
Process Improvement
- Continuously identify opportunities to streamline financial processes, improve reporting, and enhance forecasting methodologies
- Develop and maintain tools, dashboards, and performance metrics that improve visibility into business results
- Support implementation of best practices across Operating Cost Management and broader Finance teams
You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.
Required Qualifications: - Bachelor's Degree (or higher) in Finance, Accounting, Economics, OR related field
- 5+ years of experience in progressive finance, accounting, OR financial planning and analysis experience
- Experience supporting business partners in a complex, matrixed organization.
- PnL Management experience
- Financial forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis experience
- Analytical and financial modeling skills
- Experience translating complex financial information into clear, actionable recommendations
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookup functions, and financial modeling techniques
- Ability to work full time and have the flexibility to work any of our shift schedules during our normal business hours of 8:00am - 5:00pm. It may be necessary, given the business need, to work occasional overtime
Preferred Qualifications: - MBA, CPA, OR other advanced finance credentials
- Banking, Private Credit, or Payment Network experience
- Experience supporting operating expense OR SG&A management
- Experience with workforce planning and labor expense modeling
- Familiarity with PeopleSoft, Essbase, SmartView, OR similar financial systems
- Experience building dashboards and automated reporting solutions
Soft Skills:- Solid communication and presentation skills
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $91,700 - $163,700 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
